Recorder Stephen Climie made the demand despite cutting the 35-year-old’s jail term for ten thefts.

Simpkins was appealing against a 33-week jail term imposed for ten thefts and one drugs offence.

The judge, sitting with two magistrates, was forced to chop six weeks off the jail time as he had already been sentenced for two of the thefts. Another six weeks came off as two offences were committed prior to another jail term and he changed the drugs offence from three weeks to a £110 fine.